Chargers fall twice to No. 9 Lakers

Saturday

Apr 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM

By Ed Patinoepatino@hillsdale.netALLENDALE — Facing its biggest challenge of the season, the Hillsdale College softball team didn't back down but was unable to get over the hump.Staying competitive all day long, the Chargers dropped both games to the Grand Valley State University Lakers, falling 4-2 and 5-1 in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at the GVSU Softball Field.Hillsdale (11-18, 10-12 GLIAC) actually held the lead twice in the opening game before the No. 9-ranked Lakers fought back with a three-run sixth inning. Grand Valley State (32-4, 20-2 GLIAC) opened the nightcap with back-to-back home runs in the top of the first inning and held the Chargers off the board until the seventh.After a scoreless first inning in the opener, the Chargers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Sarah Grunert scored on a fielder's choice by Kristi Gordon. Grand Valley tied the game in the bottom of the third when Nellie Kosola scored on a throwing error, but Hillsdale grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth when Taylor Schulty drove home Danielle Garceau with a RBI single.The Lakers took control in the bottom of the fifth inning. Katie Martin scored on Miranda Cleary's RBI single, then Kayleigh Bertram and Cleary scored on a fielding error, making it 4-2. The Lakers held Hillsdale scoreless the rest of the way.Grunert went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Chargers. Schulty was 1-for-3 with a RBI, while Katie Ardrey had a hit. Grunert took the pitching loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out two and walking eight.Hannah Santora recorded the win in the circle for Grand Valley State, scattering four hits while striking out four and walking four.Briauna Taylor and Martin hit back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the first inning of the nightcap for the Lakers. Kosola added another run in the second inning when she scored on a passed ball, then Grand Valley State plated two more runs in the fourth inning, making it 5-0.Hillsdale broke the shutout in the bottom of the seventh inning when Sarah Klopfer scored on Grunert's flyout.Miriam McKay went 2-for-3 to lead Hillsdale, while Ainsley Ellison was 2-for-4. Kate Hoop, Jessica Day and Schulty each collected a hit. Klopfer went the distance in the circle, allowing 10 hits and striking out three in the loss.Kosola went 3-for-4 with two runs scored to lead the Lakers, while Martin was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Sara Andrasik recorded 11 strikeouts and earned the win.The Chargers will continue their road trip today with a doubleheader at Ferris State.